Forum Discussion

fgmill's avatar
fgmill
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016

keeping batteries charged

I purchased a 31ft travel Trailer which I plan to store in back yard for now while not in use. I do not have hook up available right now and want to run the basics (lights,radio,heater occasionally) off batteries. Can I leave a trickle charger plugged in with out damaging converter?
  • The furnace can kill a single battery in one cold evening. Best to leave it plugged in to a 120 house outlet using an adapter (as mentioned). This allows the onboard Converter to keep the batteries charged and run that equipment. Just be sure to maintain the battery fluid levels when plugged in for long periods of time.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    If you have a 120VAC RECEPTACLE close to where the trailer is parked to be able to plug in a trickle charger why not just pick up a 30A-15A long Adapter cable from WALMART and plug your Trailer 30A Sshore Power cable into the available 120VAC receptacle. Then the on-board converter/charger will keep your battery charged up.



    This is what we do here for our 5th wheel parked in the back yard...

    In my case my parked trailers are some 60 feet away from my garage 120VAC receptacle so I use a good quality 50-foot Contractor type 10-3 extension cord and then plug my trailer into that. A 12-3 extension cord will work as well but anything smaller than 12GA is not a good idea... We can actually run just about everything in the 5th wheel and/or the OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer we have (Including the Air Conditioner or Microwave). The deal is we have to watch what is on at the same time otherwise it will trip the house circuit breaker for the garage 120VAC receptacle...

    We spend alot of time in both of our trailers sitting in the back yard.. A great get-away spot at home...

    Roy Ken

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